Abstract
Objectives: To review our experience with pediatric veno arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) at our University Hospital ICU. Methods: We reviewed the clinical records of all pediatric patients maintained on VA-ECMO between April 2008 and March 2013. Results: We experienced forty VA-ECMO runs for patients ranging in age from 3 days to 6 years. Thirty-nine of these patients had congenital heart disease (CHD). The overall survival rate was similar to the world standard at 75% and 58% for weaned off ECMO and discharged, respectively. According to a paper previously reported by our institution, the survival rate for discharged patients has significantly improved from 21% to 58% within the past 15 years. Within the last five years, the survival rate has improved from 33% to 100% for patients successfully weaned ECMO. In addition, within the same five-year period, the survival rate has remained at the same level for patients that have been successfully discharged. Conclusions: The outcomes of VA-ECMO have improved at our institution. What remains to be addressed is to identify the optimal anticoagulant therapies, improve the treatment techniques and complete further long-term observations of these patients.
